Ken Loach’s challenging films always draw a big RCC crowd and The Old Oak (2023) was no exception. This was reflected in our biggest discussion group for a while, with some new faces joining us.
The Old Oak isn’t the easiest of films to watch, with some harsh depictions of anti-refugee racism. Someone online reckoned the ‘f-word’ is used 156 times. One of our discussion group felt the film took us all out of an escapist world.
We were pleased to have a recent refugee to Tunbridge Wells in our discussion. She shared her own experiences, which were different from the film. She had found much kindness and felt she had been very lucky. She had been supported by friends she had met. She felt this was unlike the film when the refugees did not seem safe.
This was a film that stimulated our own views about the world around us. For one member of the group, it was important to embrace the reality of people moving around the world and that we should not assume ownership of it. For another, it exposed our vulnerability and that we live in uncertain times. It also brought back childhood memories of witnessing the National Front and their aggression. There might even have been a racist echo in the death of Marra the tiny dog, hunted and killed by the vicious pitbulls
Both communities had experienced loss. The Durham working class had lost their mining tradition, while the Syrian refugees had lost their home and family members. The scene in the eleventh century Durham cathedral made us reflect on how ISIS had destroyed the ancient Roman city of Palmyra, 2000 years old.
A member of the group pointed out how the film was bookended with black and white photographic images. The beginning slides showed the racism as the refugees moved in; the final ones showed the Syrians and British working-class residents sitting together and enjoying a slide show of images of themselves, while someone played the oud. Racism and fear appeared to have gone, replaced by solidarity and a recognition of a common humanity.
Perhaps the film wasn’t culturally sensitive. The Syrian Muslims, who would not drink alcohol, seemed happy to go into a pub’s back room to meet, whereas our refugee visitor confirmed that she wouldn’t do this. The banner that is created by the Syrians for the miners’ gala is very conventional, apart from some Arabic. Shouldn’t there be more evidence of Syrian design? We also were concerned that the violent racist assault on the Syrian young man seemed to have no repercussions.
This is probably Ken Loach’s last film. It certainly got us talking.
Anne
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